Time to Play?

I am continually reminded by the researchers about how our brains develop and change: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20827844.700-children-really-do-see-things-differently.html

One of our biggest concerns about the pressure to push younger and younger children into more and more formal academic activities is that perhaps we don't leave enough time for play.

Children need to spend hours and hours observing and interacting with the physical environment.

Playing outside and seeing the light reflect off of the trees, houses, ground and water. Playing with blocks and seeing shapes from different angles, seeing how the shapes stack, seeing how they interact. Playing with water and watching how it flows, how it carries a stick, and how it erodes the sand.

These are important activities for a young mind. I think we are only beginning to understand just how important they may be.